French Antique Directoire Period Painted and Gold Leaf Frame, c. 1800

A Directoire period painted and gold leaf frame from France c. 1800 surrounding the original mirror glass that features pilasters in faux painted porphyry. The color purple throughout history has symbolized royalty and porphyry, originally found in Egypt, was brought back to Europe to be used in the construction of important buildings and famously used for Napoleon's sarcophagus.